I feel like 'time = money' is the scariest part of being a full-time artist. I know its not realistic but I had to let go of that feeling (mind you I'm lucky to have the financial stability rn to do that). For me when I did sketches or paintings I didn't like, I'd end up throwing them away because 'time=money' and my progress stagnated. You have to mess up, figure it out and try again in order to learn. It sucks that we live in a world that puts more value in 'first time perfection' than the journey to get there.
Maybe you are a hidden Gouache artist and just have to change mediums :D All that you describe you enjoy is gouache. Watercolor does it's own thing and that's the magic of it, but if you like control gouache is perfect, and I thing is the best for illustrations like yours. I've seen your last 3 videos and you seem to don't enjoy a big part of the process, so I agree you should do something about it. I love your style and your creativity, It's sad to hear you not enjoying yourself.
yes! I had the EXACT same struggle she describes in this video, not liking the 'patchiness' and finally, I realized that I like details and contrast and other style aspects that just don't jive with watercolor. I was painting in the same many-layered style, but it stopped working for the illustration style I wanted to do so now I mostly do gouache and I love it.
Hello! I agree with you Patricia, I think Chris may have more inclination to work with gouache. In my case I work in pure watercolor and with many layers, I guess it's a matter of enjoying the medium
@@YvesGeorgeSanchez I don't think she's doing something she doesn't like. I think she just didn't know how to use goauche in a way she would want. Disliking your process is different from disliking what you do as an artist.
I agree when you mentioned how you use watercolors quite different from most people. I think you’re the only artist I know who uses that many layers for a piece. And I honestly love your style. While it is unfortunate that it causes that graininess to happen,(I do like the texture though tbh), I think that it’s such a nice technique. I think combined with a more loose style of watercolor, (Like your usual style for the focal point and loose style for the background) it could create a nice contrast. I think your watercolor paintings has a unique charm to it. I really really love how this piece turned out tho!!! It really does have a peaceful atmosphere to it. And knowing what you went through in making it just adds so much more meaning. I’m glad you decided to finish it. And I’m really glad you’re happy with the final art. As an artist, I know how frustrating it feels when it goes wrong. I tend to give up easily when that happens. So hearing how you pushed through with this piece inspires me with my future arts. Thanks so much!! I don’t mind how long it takes for you to upload content for yt. I’ll never regret subscribing to you.
I feel like every artwork goes through an "ugly stage" and the fixing of it is the tweaking and correcting until we like it, is what makes it awesome in the end! Sounds like a typical artist struggle! I feel like I'm slow too, This piece is so rich, you time involved shows and the final product is amazing.
For my part, I work with watercolors and I'm a huge admirer of your work, precisely because you manage to bring out these three-dimensional shaded forms that have so much light and volume to them. It's rarer for watercolors to be painting in many thin glazes, yes, but that's not because that's the wrong way to use watercolors! It's an established technique, it's just harder and takes more time to do, which leads many artists to opt for a different approach. That said, rethinking your style and your working methods is always valid. Just don't feel that you're doing something wrong, because you're not!
Your commentary makes me realize that no matter how good you are, you're never as good as how good you want to be. Your art is one of the best I've ever seen, but I very rarely hear commentary wherein you're quite satisfied with your work. There's always something wrong in your perspective. It makes me keep pushing knowing that I'm not the only one who feels displeased with my art. It just goes to show that it is part of the process. It always gets better towards the end.
You might want to try a watercolor paint like sennelier ... I personally love granulation , and don’t work in as many layers as you do.. but I’ve heard time and time again , that Sennelier is one of the best , for layering ... Your work is wonderful ..
I was going to suggest the same, it's not wrong to work in layers, even many layers, but using non granulating colours can help. Good quality paints will have marked on the tube whether they're granulating or not. Cobalt colours definitely tend to be granluating - a watered down pthalo blue might have ended up looking smoother in a wash :) Sennelier and QOR are both noted for their non-granulating colours, though I have QOR's cobalt teal and it's still granulating.
I give up on pieces waaayyyy to quickly. Watching your videos and hearing about your struggles and how you overcome gives me the motivation to stick with things to the end.
I've read about a thousand books on watercolor this year. Everyone uses it differently. That's why I love it. Use it the way you want. Gouache is also the best btw. Especially in your hands. Amazing video and painting as always Chris.
I lucked in to your channel a couple of days ago. I had taken up water-colour painting on retirement in 2016 and had begun to make regular sales, from galleries and commissions, of what are essentially fairly conventional landscapes and townscapes. Two months ago, I tried out a new more abstract, almost graphic technique and a new medium, gouache. I was intrigued by your struggles with your work as it exactly reflected my own experience: one, I start well, loving what I'm doing; two, I hit a wall and begin to hate the painting; three, I go into rescue mode; four, I begin to see the light; five, I'm back on track and enjoying the work. BTW, since starting the new technique, I've sold two paintings. Keep painting, keep posting. I love your honesty and commitment.
One tip that I’ve heard with watercolors is that if it looks like the right shade you’re going for when you put it down wet, it’s not. I think just practicing putting down colors and different consistency of washes might help you learn to use them more effectively.
I absolutely love this video! Ur artwork and inspiration is is breathtaking! I’m a 53 yr old mom who used to do a lot of acrylic painting, but after having a family, my crafting/artwork changed. About 5 years ago I had spine/neck surgery. I ended up needing a 2nd one a couple years later.☹️ I have found myself having less energy living with chronic pain. I found RUclips about 3 years ago, and have been inspired to get back into painting and making cards (I can’t believe how much more “stuff” mediums is out there now compared to 20 + years ago! It seems like all I’ve been doing is buying/swatching and organizing!! I’m so looking forward to actually using all the different mediums I’ve bought over the last 3 years! You have inspired me in more ways than one with this video! ( taking care of my health and maybe getting up the courage to actually paint!!) So thank you from the bottom of my heart!😊❤️ Over these last 3 years of watching RUclips, I’ve seen some incredible artist! Especially some that sell their artwork!! I have never really wanted to purchase any of them because they didn’t have any meaning. But this painting does, and it’s soooo adorable! I’m definitely going to ur shop to check out the prices!! ( I know as an artist/crafter, that u could never make the right amount of money when selling ur work! There’s SO much time that goes into art!) I’m hoping to purchase a print at the end of this month.😀❤️👍🏼 Thank you again for sharing and giving so much inspiration to me and so many others! Sincerely Liz😊💗👍🏼
Oh I thought the gradulation was on purpose to contrast against the perfect faces. I still love it overall and I’m glad you’re getting used to mixed media. I always felt ashamed because I wasn’t able to do just a singular medium in a piece of work. So it’s fun to see your processes into mixing mediums, even if that wasn’t your original intentions
I truly love your honest approach! So many of my friends and family don't understand and they think I'm just being too harsh on myself... but there is always room for improvement and I'm so glad you're able to breakdown where you made mistakes and how you fixed it instead of giving up! Thank-you.
I think the best thing about making art is those moments when you decide to do something that could destroy a piece you feel could be better. There's an odd bravery to it and there's always a lesson in it for you as the artist even if the viewer doesn't see what you've learned. I love this piece and your process.
Your videos are SO inspiring! 💓 Also, it’s kind of a recurring theme for you to add gouache to a watercolour painting, and they always end up SO beautiful! So maybe just keep doing your mixed media style, it works so well! ☀️ But here are some watercolour tips: as you said, try to limit using granulating colours only where you want to add attention, start with a very big light wash and add wet on wet for the background, than paint the figure in detail and add more detail and darkness to the background afterwards. I think it’s easier to determine how much more the background need and not to go too dark and detailed. But tips aside, just keep doing you, you are amazing! Have a great week and also good luck on achieving your health goals! 💓🦋 P.s.: I desperately want you to make a painting starring the cat as the focus, I love it’s little face sooooo much. Too adorable. 😽😻
Every time I listen to artists on youtube talk about the time lines and that they HAVE to paint because it's their job and such I feel so relieved that for me it's just a hobbie. I've learned that when I turn something I love into an obligation I start to hate it.
It's adorable!!! You like it, believe in yourself. I do art myself, and trust me. That painting is very cute, nice light. Water bottle looks good. Very nice.
I am going to tell you what I told my daughter as she was preparing her summer pieces for art school as she was expressing similar frustrations. Don't compare yourself to other artists. I wasted many years being afraid of picking up my brushes because I feared that I wasn't good enough. My time spent in art school wasted... Especially with social media and online media/vlogging. Think of those art videos like Instagram models. I'm not saying they are as heavily edited or photoshopped, but it is rare that they will show you their flaws, mistakes and vulnerabilities. You are a rare gift to new and upcoming artists. You are showing a side that ALL artists struggle with. Even the Masters struggle with insecurities. They wouldn't be artists if they didn't have a deep sensitivity. Second...your work is amazing and unique! And that is because of the time and care that you put into it. The attention to detail... The way that you like to control the flow of color and blending. That is your own unique painting signature. When you add Gouache to them, they become elevated to a mixed media piece that is now multidimensional and easily recognizable as one of your own. Please don't stop doing what you are doing. Just breathe...maybe take a step back and really look at your pieces and try to see them objectively. Perhaps you will see them the way we do.
Hi! I’ve been following your work for a couple of years, and I think trying out acrylic inks might be the best balance for you as an artist. Everything you said you liked about watercolor - the way it runs and interacts with the paper - is preserved, but the granulation and patchiness that tends to be a problem with watercolor isn’t as much of an issue with acrylic inks. It also allows you to control saturation fairly well, as I’ve found that wet ink is much truer to the dried color than watercolor is. Maybe in your next work? By the way, the piece is absolutely beautiful!
Thank you for this very open and honest sharing of your creative process! It is helping me gain confidence in my own sketch book and to understand that true creativity involves a lot of self doubt, and requires serious perseverance. Especially seeing as you produce such beautiful art and clearly have remarkable skill and gifting. I absolutely love the look and feel of your mediums and the way you use them, regardless of whether the method is 'right' or not. It's you, it's charming and has a unique appeal that instantly draws you in.
Your artwork is really beautiful and you are a far more advanced artist than I am but I share many of the exact same struggles you mention in this video. Nice to know that even with these difficulties, it is possible to make something that looks as nice as this.
This is absolutely gorgeous..I love the little characters they are so lovely ,and you can just imagine the cat joining in a yoga session..it tells a beautiful story,it’s painted beautifully ..Twice..lol..We are our worst critics .The whole painting comes together so nicely and best of all it makes you smile..Love it 😀
The painting turned out great! I wanted to suggest giving Arches 300lb hot press a try for you gouache paintings. I just started using it and it is fantastic, takes the paint wonderfully. It's expensive, but worth it.
Have you tried using a bigger brush for large wash areas like the sky? I think your brush size might be part of the issue with the patchiness you're seeing. Try a big, 3/4" or 1" flat brush and see if that makes a difference. (Though, honestly, it looked amazing even with the "patchy" texture.) You might also want to try adding more paint and less water and just doing a one or two layers; traditionally that's how watercolor washes are done. Also, are you letting your paint completely dry between layers? If the paint is even slightly damp, it will start to lift up and mix with any additional layers. Watercolor is fickle and easy to overwork. Good luck. Your ideas and illustrations are amazing and inspiring and so is your use of color!!
Your art is amazing. Your basic analysis of granulation, many layers and control all come down to really knowing your paints. I suggest watching a bunch of Teoh yi Chi 's RUclips videos reviewing and swatching watercolors. Almost all his preferred watercolor paints are transparent, vivid, and mix controlled colors and fit your wishes perfectly. He's a professional Illustrator and Urban sketcher both needs speed, control, and excellence.
Honestly, I think your way of using watercolour is so unique and different from all the artist I know. I really love it ❤ this piece turned out so nice and peaceful!
I am just in love with your sketches, your paintings, the technique you use, your style. Your paintings always look so warm to me and the lightning in every piece drives me insane. For example on this one, the light on the butterflies is just so good I might just cry.You're just super talented. 💖 I'm 20 and I've been drawing forever and I wish one day I will achieve this level at painting and not being afraid of the source of light and layering colors.
I love both of the pieces! I really like the granulation on the watercolor one and dont think it was really an issue... but of course it is a matter of what you like to produce as an artist so its your call. I also paint with watercolors and struggle with the thousand layer thing... I reduced them by increasing the time i spent looking at the painting and decreasing the time i spent actually painting... that way i could figure out what value was needed and where and layed it down faster and in fewer layers. My time management is 75% staring and 25% painting haha
" increasing the time i spent looking at the painting and decreasing the time i spent actually painting" ^^^ YES! This is the tip I've needed. I think I sometimes get caught up trying to "paint faster" when really it's an issue of painting more strategically so I don't paint the same thing a dozen times.
thank you for sharing this journey, it was really interesting and enlightening! my art teacher told me once about a piece i was unhappy with, "why torture yourself? make the next one better instead" but im leaning more towards what you said about seeing it through so you dont have to wonder, so i did push on for a bit longer and got slightly less unhappy. i didnt end up with a piece i really liked, unfortunately, but in hindsight i think that chalks up to 1) lack of skill and experience to execute my vision and 2) the concept itself wasnt solid enough. in any case i learned from it, and i think thats the most valuable aspect of pushing on. in terms of your personal art journey, not money-wise - the economical aspect is something else that ill leave to others to comment on. anyway, i love this piece! i think it really depicts that serenity you talked about, and i adore how you draw satisfied faces, and in general the roundness in your art style. it looks super cute and calming! youre very skilled and its lovely to get to watch you work. thank you :) xx
It feels so happy and peaceful. Watching you go through the process is so carming and hearing you learn something from your piece is a great motivator to me. All in all, another wonderful creation ♡♡♡
Try Sennelier. And have you ever watched Stephanie Law? She uses a lot of watercolor ground to bring back light and it’s beautiful. I love your painting and to hear about your struggles ❤️
Hey! I'm new and I love this piece! I've never seen anyone do so much prep work for art in my life and the finished piece really shows why it's so important, and that the more you work on something, in the middle stages, the better. Yes, you can over work a piece, but that's at the end. The more you please with the colours you want, and the placement, and tones and values. You've inspired me, thank you.
I personally LOVE granulating watercolors, but it's definitely something one needs to keep in mind, because it's so easy for the colors to get muddied. I agree that it's a control issue, but it's also an issue about knowing when the painting is done. Maybe you could try using thinner washes of watercolor, which would give you a little bit more control over the pigment you're putting down.
I think the way you work with watercolors is just perfect tbh. You're just a perfectionist I guess and that's cool because the results are satisfying and very pleasant, at least to my eyes. I just keep staring and looking at the details and work you put into each painting.
Beautiful piece! I actually LOVED the granulation! as a watercolourist myself I completely understand your frustrations! but what I had to do was to just let the medium do what it wants to do (for the most part)! I also tend to work in lots of glazes to achieve the depth that I want. I use to try and control everything too and with a medium such as watercolour that doesn't really workout too well!!!
Good to know I'm not crazy, you were saying everything I think to myself when working on a piece. This is so beautiful too, and you doubted yourself. Guess that's just the process huh.
This video made me subscribe 💙 I love the work and how you approach a piece. The patchiness is largely due to your painting style (nothing wrong w/ it if that's the image you're going for), where you paint in smaller sections over dry watercolor. I had this problem when I started. I tried hard learning how to control paint using wet on wet techniques and the results gave a more seamless look. Love your pieces, thanks for sharing them 💙💙💙
I actually loved both of the drawings, but if you are happy, that's all that matters!! I also don't think there's a "wrong way" using the watercolours. What I almost always use to reduce some of the "patchiness" or just add a more controlled layer of colour, is adding details with tombow markers and/or (water)colour pencils, maybe you can try that someday. Have a great day!! 😊
Another wonderful piece that is a treat for my eyes. I see a trend in your struggle that might help, you do not like granulating pigments in your water color paint. I am actually just the opposite, so I have had to search and create a list of various makers of water color tube paints that are very heavy in the granulation side of the pigment. Some colors I will just not put into my pallet, because I feel they do not give me enough granulation. So I have had to resort to mixing a lot of colors myself rather then buying it already made up in a tube. You Might find with some research that you can achieve the same colors you like, by making your own mix on your pallet using very low granulating pigments of say two or three other colors. I have been eternally grateful to a few you tube water color artists who spend hours and hours swatching out every color paint in the tube and in pans, and showing us the qualities of many many of the top artist grade water color manufactures on their channel. Here are 3 artists that I have the bell icon turned on, so that I never Miss a single post from them ..... ( yours is turned on as well but you already know yourself ;) ) These are in no particular order, "In liquid color" and "Hajra Meeks" and "The mind of water color". These 3 artists have a TON, and I mean a TON of Reviews on just about every watercolor manufacture out there. Even the very cheap ones, to some small niche market watercolor paint makers. SOOOoooo , Maybe all you really need to do is just get those Pesky granulating watercolor paints OFF your pallet, and substitute non granulating or very low granulating paints. Any way you end up going, I will never stop watching you work your magic with paint and pencil, You are an inspiration ( embrace it) LOL … luv your work.
I love your watercolors! There are plenty of artists that use many glazing layers to build up values. I think the issue was the granulation, which with many layers will building to look really gritty. I would maybe look into different types of watercolors and do a little experiment with your style to see how the pigments build. I love this piece and I’m glad you pushed through! But I love your watercolor work and I think you underestimate your skill level ❤️
Thank you for being so honest with your feelings as you struggle with a painting. i thought this was only because I was less experienced, but I think it happens a lot, and it is the rare painting that flows easily quickly from beginning to ending. I love the process either way. And yes this turned out beautiful, although it was nice in the beginning too! I know you learned so much more than you realize as well. Really interested in viewing more of your videos now.
Honestly i had the same exact Problem with watercolors, and discovered gouache this year. I've completely switched to it now for detailed pieces because I also have the problem of over-rendering, which you've mentioned before. Maybe gouache is just your medium? Your style and aesthetic are so unique I'd be sad to see it go with watercolor!
It’s so pretty! It really feels like you really resonated with the “getting out in nature, and self-care” idea in this painting. It’s an important piece considering all the conclusions that you came to, because of it.
try doing your underpaintings in watercolors and then go the follow through with the gouache. you can tell with the initial layers that it's not going to go with just water colors.
its wonderful to hear that you enjoy a piece of yours. I absolutely adore your work and i've found it very inspiring to explore new mediums! This piece if beautiful, i love how full the forms feel
Personally I love the way you build up many layers of color to build up depth, your paintings end up with a richness of depth and color vibrancy that not many other artist achieve. While I do see the difference in the mediums I think they are both equally lovely, the watercolor one is a bit granulated, but maybe instead of changing up your technique you could try out different watercolors that complement your process.
Hey Chris! Just want to express my admiration. I became a fan just recently. 😊 Your art is so amazing and your videos are so soothing to watch. I like how you share your experience in each of your works from excitement, then becoming frustrated and then finally getting it all to work. Your process helped me learn to plan my artworks more before working on them.
This painting is the one I found your channel through, and your technique inspired me, I dunno if that makes it worth it, but I'm thankful you finished it.
I know very little about watercolor but, I watched a video by Shoo Rayner in which he talks about painting a smooth sky and says he lets his blue paint sit for a bit so the granules settle to the bottom then he only dips the brush across the top of the paint. Just thought I would mention it. :) BTW. I just Love your style! :) We all want to improve but don't change too much. :)
The grainy look makes it look vintage-ish so it's not a bad look, it's cute. It's only a problem if you don't like it. You do use watercolors a bit like if they were gouache since you use little water (compared with the majority of watercolorists), but there's many artists that layer a lot, something that in gouache is more tricky since many layers will make it crack and reworking an area will lift the one underneath so maybe do a 50/50 haha
Beautiful work! (I actually prefer the higher saturated work that you do- this character series is super-cute!!!). I hope those frustrations are starting to iron out. Can't wait to buy something once your store opens back up!!
Even your thumbnails are little masterpieces! I really like the texture you achieve, but I have this same issue. I really like using layers and have had to become more conscientious of both the paper (hot pressed for me when avoiding texture) and by using non-granulating colors. I've also recently switched from arches hot press to fabriano. The fabriano can't take as many layers, but it maintains a vibrancy that the arches doesn't. It's amazing how much of this is trial and error. The texture in your art comes off as purposeful, it gives it a vintage warmth that feels kind of nostalgic. I'm excited to hear about what changes you decide to make though!
I think your artwork is beautiful, really struggle with water color, cus i wanna sit down and not wait on my materials. You mentioned that others seem to spend less time, but they may edit a lot of their work and not show ones that they struggled with
I love this piece! It SOUNDS like you want to invest a lot of time in getting better at a medium that in the end is not satisfying for you for the finished piece. For you, watercolor may be the best medium when you are working out color scheme thumbs, quickly testing out possibilities with broad washes, and laying down color quickly just to see how things work out. When painting the final piece, it feels like you are most satisfied with having control over your brush strokes and opacity when using gouache. While similar, watercolors and gouache really are separate beasts, and in the end it feels like you will always end up being happy with gouache for the final painting. I agree with Patricia's comment below - it's sad to hear you not enjoying yourself.
I feel like 'time = money' is the scariest part of being a full-time artist. I know its not realistic but I had to let go of that feeling (mind you I'm lucky to have the financial stability rn to do that). For me when I did sketches or paintings I didn't like, I'd end up throwing them away because 'time=money' and my progress stagnated. You have to mess up, figure it out and try again in order to learn. It sucks that we live in a world that puts more value in 'first time perfection' than the journey to get there.
Maybe you are a hidden Gouache artist and just have to change mediums :D All that you describe you enjoy is gouache. Watercolor does it's own thing and that's the magic of it, but if you like control gouache is perfect, and I thing is the best for illustrations like yours. I've seen your last 3 videos and you seem to don't enjoy a big part of the process, so I agree you should do something about it. I love your style and your creativity, It's sad to hear you not enjoying yourself.
Yeah, that was how it was for me when i used watercolor, but now that i use gouache i'm enjoying the process so much more.
yes! I had the EXACT same struggle she describes in this video, not liking the 'patchiness' and finally, I realized that I like details and contrast and other style aspects that just don't jive with watercolor. I was painting in the same many-layered style, but it stopped working for the illustration style I wanted to do so now I mostly do gouache and I love it.
It's just so sad how she doesn't like what she's doing but still continue doing it.
Hello! I agree with you Patricia, I think Chris may have more inclination to work with gouache. In my case I work in pure watercolor and with many layers, I guess it's a matter of enjoying the medium
@@YvesGeorgeSanchez I don't think she's doing something she doesn't like.
I think she just didn't know how to use goauche in a way she would want.
Disliking your process is different from disliking what you do as an artist.
I agree when you mentioned how you use watercolors quite different from most people. I think you’re the only artist I know who uses that many layers for a piece. And I honestly love your style. While it is unfortunate that it causes that graininess to happen,(I do like the texture though tbh), I think that it’s such a nice technique. I think combined with a more loose style of watercolor, (Like your usual style for the focal point and loose style for the background) it could create a nice contrast. I think your watercolor paintings has a unique charm to it.
I really really love how this piece turned out tho!!! It really does have a peaceful atmosphere to it. And knowing what you went through in making it just adds so much more meaning. I’m glad you decided to finish it. And I’m really glad you’re happy with the final art. As an artist, I know how frustrating it feels when it goes wrong. I tend to give up easily when that happens. So hearing how you pushed through with this piece inspires me with my future arts. Thanks so much!! I don’t mind how long it takes for you to upload content for yt. I’ll never regret subscribing to you.
Thank you for the sweet words and positive encouragement! 💪😭 I appreciate it so much Janelle!🧡
Agreed!!
love this comment uvu totally agree
The peace on the girls face is so relaxing and calming
I feel like every artwork goes through an "ugly stage" and the fixing of it is the tweaking and correcting until we like it, is what makes it awesome in the end! Sounds like a typical artist struggle! I feel like I'm slow too, This piece is so rich, you time involved shows and the final product is amazing.
Even your pencil sketches looked 3 dimensional and alive..
For my part, I work with watercolors and I'm a huge admirer of your work, precisely because you manage to bring out these three-dimensional shaded forms that have so much light and volume to them. It's rarer for watercolors to be painting in many thin glazes, yes, but that's not because that's the wrong way to use watercolors! It's an established technique, it's just harder and takes more time to do, which leads many artists to opt for a different approach. That said, rethinking your style and your working methods is always valid. Just don't feel that you're doing something wrong, because you're not!
Your commentary makes me realize that no matter how good you are, you're never as good as how good you want to be. Your art is one of the best I've ever seen, but I very rarely hear commentary wherein you're quite satisfied with your work. There's always something wrong in your perspective. It makes me keep pushing knowing that I'm not the only one who feels displeased with my art. It just goes to show that it is part of the process. It always gets better towards the end.
You might want to try a watercolor paint like sennelier ... I personally love granulation , and don’t work in as many layers as you do.. but I’ve heard time and time again , that Sennelier is one of the best , for layering ...
Your work is wonderful ..
I was going to suggest the same, it's not wrong to work in layers, even many layers, but using non granulating colours can help. Good quality paints will have marked on the tube whether they're granulating or not. Cobalt colours definitely tend to be granluating - a watered down pthalo blue might have ended up looking smoother in a wash :) Sennelier and QOR are both noted for their non-granulating colours, though I have QOR's cobalt teal and it's still granulating.
Agree that Sennelier might be a good choice for the transparency, the luminosity, and the way it layers.
Exactly
I give up on pieces waaayyyy to quickly. Watching your videos and hearing about your struggles and how you overcome gives me the motivation to stick with things to the end.
I've read about a thousand books on watercolor this year. Everyone uses it differently. That's why I love it. Use it the way you want. Gouache is also the best btw. Especially in your hands. Amazing video and painting as always Chris.
I lucked in to your channel a couple of days ago. I had taken up water-colour painting on retirement in 2016 and had begun to make regular sales, from galleries and commissions, of what are essentially fairly conventional landscapes and townscapes. Two months ago, I tried out a new more abstract, almost graphic technique and a new medium, gouache. I was intrigued by your struggles with your work as it exactly reflected my own experience: one, I start well, loving what I'm doing; two, I hit a wall and begin to hate the painting; three, I go into rescue mode; four, I begin to see the light; five, I'm back on track and enjoying the work. BTW, since starting the new technique, I've sold two paintings. Keep painting, keep posting. I love your honesty and commitment.
We are our own worst critics. I think your work is fabulous and I have learned alot from your art. Thank you for sharing.
One tip that I’ve heard with watercolors is that if it looks like the right shade you’re going for when you put it down wet, it’s not. I think just practicing putting down colors and different consistency of washes might help you learn to use them more effectively.
I love how you always learn something with every piece!
I love that you show the tough stuff and the work through. Thanks for posting. ❤ Turned out wonderful.
I absolutely love this video! Ur artwork and inspiration is is breathtaking! I’m a 53 yr old mom who used to do a lot of acrylic painting, but after having a family, my crafting/artwork changed. About 5 years ago I had spine/neck surgery. I ended up needing a 2nd one a couple years later.☹️ I have found myself having less energy living with chronic pain. I found RUclips about 3 years ago, and have been inspired to get back into painting and making cards (I can’t believe how much more “stuff” mediums is out there now compared to 20 + years ago! It seems like all I’ve been doing is buying/swatching and organizing!! I’m so looking forward to actually using all the different mediums I’ve bought over the last 3 years! You have inspired me in more ways than one with this video! ( taking care of my health and maybe getting up the courage to actually paint!!) So thank you from the bottom of my heart!😊❤️ Over these last 3 years of watching RUclips, I’ve seen some incredible artist! Especially some that sell their artwork!! I have never really wanted to purchase any of them because they didn’t have any meaning. But this painting does, and it’s soooo adorable! I’m definitely going to ur shop to check out the prices!! ( I know as an artist/crafter, that u could never make the right amount of money when selling ur work! There’s SO much time that goes into art!) I’m hoping to purchase a print at the end of this month.😀❤️👍🏼 Thank you again for sharing and giving so much inspiration to me and so many others! Sincerely Liz😊💗👍🏼
Oh I thought the gradulation was on purpose to contrast against the perfect faces. I still love it overall and I’m glad you’re getting used to mixed media. I always felt ashamed because I wasn’t able to do just a singular medium in a piece of work. So it’s fun to see your processes into mixing mediums, even if that wasn’t your original intentions
I meant perfect as in smoothly rendered 😂 I can’t work correctly today
I used to feel the same way too, but now I've accepted it as a way of life 😂 thanks Keke!
the moving butterflies are sooo pretty, so nice.
I truly love your honest approach! So many of my friends and family don't understand and they think I'm just being too harsh on myself... but there is always room for improvement and I'm so glad you're able to breakdown where you made mistakes and how you fixed it instead of giving up! Thank-you.
The theme is very sweet and i like the analogy with the butterflies. Stay healthy!
I think the best thing about making art is those moments when you decide to do something that could destroy a piece you feel could be better. There's an odd bravery to it and there's always a lesson in it for you as the artist even if the viewer doesn't see what you've learned.
I love this piece and your process.
Love the outcome ❣️ the butterflies are so energetic.
Your art brings delight and a smile. Priceless! Thanks!
Your videos are SO inspiring! 💓 Also, it’s kind of a recurring theme for you to add gouache to a watercolour painting, and they always end up SO beautiful! So maybe just keep doing your mixed media style, it works so well! ☀️ But here are some watercolour tips: as you said, try to limit using granulating colours only where you want to add attention, start with a very big light wash and add wet on wet for the background, than paint the figure in detail and add more detail and darkness to the background afterwards. I think it’s easier to determine how much more the background need and not to go too dark and detailed. But tips aside, just keep doing you, you are amazing! Have a great week and also good luck on achieving your health goals! 💓🦋 P.s.: I desperately want you to make a painting starring the cat as the focus, I love it’s little face sooooo much. Too adorable. 😽😻
Every time I listen to artists on youtube talk about the time lines and that they HAVE to paint because it's their job and such I feel so relieved that for me it's just a hobbie. I've learned that when I turn something I love into an obligation I start to hate it.
I love this piece. So cheerful and positive.
Loooove the cat and the happiness on his face
Both versions were phenomenal.
It's adorable!!! You like it, believe in yourself. I do art myself, and trust me. That painting is very cute, nice light. Water bottle looks good. Very nice.
Your watercolors are so beautiful
I am going to tell you what I told my daughter as she was preparing her summer pieces for art school as she was expressing similar frustrations. Don't compare yourself to other artists. I wasted many years being afraid of picking up my brushes because I feared that I wasn't good enough. My time spent in art school wasted...
Especially with social media and online media/vlogging. Think of those art videos like Instagram models. I'm not saying they are as heavily edited or photoshopped, but it is rare that they will show you their flaws, mistakes and vulnerabilities. You are a rare gift to new and upcoming artists. You are showing a side that ALL artists struggle with. Even the Masters struggle with insecurities. They wouldn't be artists if they didn't have a deep sensitivity.
Second...your work is amazing and unique! And that is because of the time and care that you put into it. The attention to detail... The way that you like to control the flow of color and blending. That is your own unique painting signature. When you add Gouache to them, they become elevated to a mixed media piece that is now multidimensional and easily recognizable as one of your own.
Please don't stop doing what you are doing. Just breathe...maybe take a step back and really look at your pieces and try to see them objectively. Perhaps you will see them the way we do.
Thank you for the motivation
Loving how the print came out, you're right the edge to edge coverage looks cinematic - it's a scene out of a movie I'd really love to see!!!
Hi! I’ve been following your work for a couple of years, and I think trying out acrylic inks might be the best balance for you as an artist. Everything you said you liked about watercolor - the way it runs and interacts with the paper - is preserved, but the granulation and patchiness that tends to be a problem with watercolor isn’t as much of an issue with acrylic inks. It also allows you to control saturation fairly well, as I’ve found that wet ink is much truer to the dried color than watercolor is. Maybe in your next work? By the way, the piece is absolutely beautiful!
you study your own workflow so purposefully... its fascinating
Thank you for this very open and honest sharing of your creative process! It is helping me gain confidence in my own sketch book and to understand that true creativity involves a lot of self doubt, and requires serious perseverance. Especially seeing as you produce such beautiful art and clearly have remarkable skill and gifting. I absolutely love the look and feel of your mediums and the way you use them, regardless of whether the method is 'right' or not. It's you, it's charming and has a unique appeal that instantly draws you in.
Your artwork is really beautiful and you are a far more advanced artist than I am but I share many of the exact same struggles you mention in this video. Nice to know that even with these difficulties, it is possible to make something that looks as nice as this.
It's so gratifying to see a person try so hard and become satisfied at one point. As always, love your content!
This is absolutely gorgeous..I love the little characters they are so lovely ,and you can just imagine the cat joining in a yoga session..it tells a beautiful story,it’s painted beautifully ..Twice..lol..We are our worst critics .The whole painting comes together so nicely and best of all it makes you smile..Love it 😀
Such a happy painting! Really realllly beautiful
The painting turned out great! I wanted to suggest giving Arches 300lb hot press a try for you gouache paintings. I just started using it and it is fantastic, takes the paint wonderfully. It's expensive, but worth it.
Have you tried using a bigger brush for large wash areas like the sky? I think your brush size might be part of the issue with the patchiness you're seeing. Try a big, 3/4" or 1" flat brush and see if that makes a difference. (Though, honestly, it looked amazing even with the "patchy" texture.) You might also want to try adding more paint and less water and just doing a one or two layers; traditionally that's how watercolor washes are done. Also, are you letting your paint completely dry between layers? If the paint is even slightly damp, it will start to lift up and mix with any additional layers. Watercolor is fickle and easy to overwork. Good luck. Your ideas and illustrations are amazing and inspiring and so is your use of color!!
Your art is amazing. Your basic analysis of granulation, many layers and control all come down to really knowing your paints. I suggest watching a bunch of Teoh yi Chi 's RUclips videos reviewing and swatching watercolors. Almost all his preferred watercolor paints are transparent, vivid, and mix controlled colors and fit your wishes perfectly. He's a professional Illustrator and Urban sketcher both needs speed, control, and excellence.
Honestly, I think your way of using watercolour is so unique and different from all the artist I know. I really love it ❤ this piece turned out so nice and peaceful!
I am just in love with your sketches, your paintings, the technique you use, your style. Your paintings always look so warm to me and the lightning in every piece drives me insane. For example on this one, the light on the butterflies is just so good I might just cry.You're just super talented. 💖
I'm 20 and I've been drawing forever and I wish one day I will achieve this level at painting and not being afraid of the source of light and layering colors.
I love both of the pieces! I really like the granulation on the watercolor one and dont think it was really an issue... but of course it is a matter of what you like to produce as an artist so its your call. I also paint with watercolors and struggle with the thousand layer thing... I reduced them by increasing the time i spent looking at the painting and decreasing the time i spent actually painting... that way i could figure out what value was needed and where and layed it down faster and in fewer layers. My time management is 75% staring and 25% painting haha
" increasing the time i spent looking at the painting and decreasing the time i spent actually painting"
^^^ YES! This is the tip I've needed. I think I sometimes get caught up trying to "paint faster" when really it's an issue of painting more strategically so I don't paint the same thing a dozen times.
thank you for sharing this journey, it was really interesting and enlightening! my art teacher told me once about a piece i was unhappy with, "why torture yourself? make the next one better instead" but im leaning more towards what you said about seeing it through so you dont have to wonder, so i did push on for a bit longer and got slightly less unhappy. i didnt end up with a piece i really liked, unfortunately, but in hindsight i think that chalks up to 1) lack of skill and experience to execute my vision and 2) the concept itself wasnt solid enough. in any case i learned from it, and i think thats the most valuable aspect of pushing on. in terms of your personal art journey, not money-wise - the economical aspect is something else that ill leave to others to comment on.
anyway, i love this piece! i think it really depicts that serenity you talked about, and i adore how you draw satisfied faces, and in general the roundness in your art style. it looks super cute and calming! youre very skilled and its lovely to get to watch you work. thank you :) xx
I really admire your patience in layering, it really pays off.
It feels so happy and peaceful. Watching you go through the process is so carming and hearing you learn something from your piece is a great motivator to me. All in all, another wonderful creation ♡♡♡
Try Sennelier. And have you ever watched Stephanie Law? She uses a lot of watercolor ground to bring back light and it’s beautiful. I love your painting and to hear about your struggles ❤️
You are an amazing artist. I love the details that you put into your work. Don't change a thing.
Hey! I'm new and I love this piece! I've never seen anyone do so much prep work for art in my life and the finished piece really shows why it's so important, and that the more you work on something, in the middle stages, the better.
Yes, you can over work a piece, but that's at the end. The more you please with the colours you want, and the placement, and tones and values. You've inspired me, thank you.
I personally LOVE granulating watercolors, but it's definitely something one needs to keep in mind, because it's so easy for the colors to get muddied. I agree that it's a control issue, but it's also an issue about knowing when the painting is done. Maybe you could try using thinner washes of watercolor, which would give you a little bit more control over the pigment you're putting down.
I think the way you work with watercolors is just perfect tbh. You're just a perfectionist I guess and that's cool because the results are satisfying and very pleasant, at least to my eyes. I just keep staring and looking at the details and work you put into each painting.
Your work always looks awesome though. I like the granulation of watercolor, but I also love the control of gouache.
Beautiful piece! I actually LOVED the granulation! as a watercolourist myself I completely understand your frustrations! but what I had to do was to just let the medium do what it wants to do (for the most part)! I also tend to work in lots of glazes to achieve the depth that I want. I use to try and control everything too and with a medium such as watercolour that doesn't really workout too well!!!
Good to know I'm not crazy, you were saying everything I think to myself when working on a piece. This is so beautiful too, and you doubted yourself. Guess that's just the process huh.
This video made me subscribe 💙 I love the work and how you approach a piece. The patchiness is largely due to your painting style (nothing wrong w/ it if that's the image you're going for), where you paint in smaller sections over dry watercolor. I had this problem when I started. I tried hard learning how to control paint using wet on wet techniques and the results gave a more seamless look. Love your pieces, thanks for sharing them 💙💙💙
I'm addicted to your watercolors. ☆◇☆
I actually loved both of the drawings, but if you are happy, that's all that matters!!
I also don't think there's a "wrong way" using the watercolours. What I almost always use to reduce some of the "patchiness" or just add a more controlled layer of colour, is adding details with tombow markers and/or (water)colour pencils, maybe you can try that someday.
Have a great day!! 😊
The gouache made such a difference! Also your sketches are so good, the form is so solid!
Another wonderful piece that is a treat for my eyes. I see a trend in your struggle that might help, you do not like granulating pigments in your water color paint. I am actually just the opposite, so I have had to search and create a list of various makers of water color tube paints that are very heavy in the granulation side of the pigment. Some colors I will just not put into my pallet, because I feel they do not give me enough granulation. So I have had to resort to mixing a lot of colors myself rather then buying it already made up in a tube. You Might find with some research that you can achieve the same colors you like, by making your own mix on your pallet using very low granulating pigments of say two or three other colors. I have been eternally grateful to a few you tube water color artists who spend hours and hours swatching out every color paint in the tube and in pans, and showing us the qualities of many many of the top artist grade water color manufactures on their channel. Here are 3 artists that I have the bell icon turned on, so that I never Miss a single post from them ..... ( yours is turned on as well but you already know yourself ;) ) These are in no particular order, "In liquid color" and "Hajra Meeks" and "The mind of water color". These 3 artists have a TON, and I mean a TON of Reviews on just about every watercolor manufacture out there. Even the very cheap ones, to some small niche market watercolor paint makers. SOOOoooo , Maybe all you really need to do is just get those Pesky granulating watercolor paints OFF your pallet, and substitute non granulating or very low granulating paints. Any way you end up going, I will never stop watching you work your magic with paint and pencil, You are an inspiration ( embrace it) LOL … luv your work.
I love your watercolors! There are plenty of artists that use many glazing layers to build up values. I think the issue was the granulation, which with many layers will building to look really gritty. I would maybe look into different types of watercolors and do a little experiment with your style to see how the pigments build. I love this piece and I’m glad you pushed through! But I love your watercolor work and I think you underestimate your skill level ❤️
Thank you for being so honest with your feelings as you struggle with a painting. i thought this was only because I was less experienced, but I think it happens a lot, and it is the rare painting that flows easily quickly from beginning to ending. I love the process either way. And yes this turned out beautiful, although it was nice in the beginning too! I know you learned so much more than you realize as well. Really interested in viewing more of your videos now.
Absolutely beautiful, i love the way the butterflies light up, it looks so magical
Your work is so beautiful. I love seeing you work through your challenges to a polished finish.
I think you have a way unique to use watercolor and i find this REALLY INCREDIBLE! I really love it
Honestly i had the same exact Problem with watercolors, and discovered gouache this year. I've completely switched to it now for detailed pieces because I also have the problem of over-rendering, which you've mentioned before. Maybe gouache is just your medium? Your style and aesthetic are so unique I'd be sad to see it go with watercolor!
Yay! A new video! I’m excited to watch, already saw a glimpse of this on your Instagram account. 🎨 ✨
It was really interesting to see them next to each other. I was surprised to see how different they were!
It’s so pretty! It really feels like you really resonated with the “getting out in nature, and self-care” idea in this painting. It’s an important piece considering all the conclusions that you came to, because of it.
If you are looking for that smooth application of paint, and paint in this style, gouache is your medium.
try doing your underpaintings in watercolors and then go the follow through with the gouache. you can tell with the initial layers that it's not going to go with just water colors.
its wonderful to hear that you enjoy a piece of yours. I absolutely adore your work and i've found it very inspiring to explore new mediums! This piece if beautiful, i love how full the forms feel
Woaaah everytime i learn something from your videos. Love it!! Amazing work 💖
I love this painting! It makes me smile and my heart happy.
aww happy heart happy art 😘
Personally I love the way you build up many layers of color to build up depth, your paintings end up with a richness of depth and color vibrancy that not many other artist achieve. While I do see the difference in the mediums I think they are both equally lovely, the watercolor one is a bit granulated, but maybe instead of changing up your technique you could try out different watercolors that complement your process.
Hey Chris! Just want to express my admiration. I became a fan just recently. 😊 Your art is so amazing and your videos are so soothing to watch. I like how you share your experience in each of your works from excitement, then becoming frustrated and then finally getting it all to work. Your process helped me learn to plan my artworks more before working on them.
This painting is the one I found your channel through, and your technique inspired me, I dunno if that makes it worth it, but I'm thankful you finished it.
I know very little about watercolor but, I watched a video by Shoo Rayner in which he talks about painting a smooth sky and says he lets his blue paint sit for a bit so the granules settle to the bottom then he only dips the brush across the top of the paint. Just thought I would mention it. :) BTW. I just Love your style! :) We all want to improve but don't change too much. :)
The grainy look makes it look vintage-ish so it's not a bad look, it's cute. It's only a problem if you don't like it. You do use watercolors a bit like if they were gouache since you use little water (compared with the majority of watercolorists), but there's many artists that layer a lot, something that in gouache is more tricky since many layers will make it crack and reworking an area will lift the one underneath so maybe do a 50/50 haha
You’re going to go down in history! Simply amazing and so unique and appealing to view 💛👍🏼I just love everything you do!!!!!!!!! 😆💛
Beautiful work! (I actually prefer the higher saturated work that you do- this character series is super-cute!!!). I hope those frustrations are starting to iron out. Can't wait to buy something once your store opens back up!!
Beautiful work (: I've been watching your videos while I work on my watercolor skills. So inspiring!
Your art never cease to amaze me and to inspire me! what a gorgeous piece!
Even your thumbnails are little masterpieces! I really like the texture you achieve, but I have this same issue. I really like using layers and have had to become more conscientious of both the paper (hot pressed for me when avoiding texture) and by using non-granulating colors. I've also recently switched from arches hot press to fabriano. The fabriano can't take as many layers, but it maintains a vibrancy that the arches doesn't. It's amazing how much of this is trial and error. The texture in your art comes off as purposeful, it gives it a vintage warmth that feels kind of nostalgic. I'm excited to hear about what changes you decide to make though!
Sweetest serene subject!
Stunning Painting! ❤
Don't fight the medium, let it work for you. If you like to glaze try oils! Acrylic can be used as well.
As for your watercolor style, I just love it,really, it is different,Bul it is trulla yours and the result is al ways amazing!🥰🥰🥰
I think your artwork is beautiful, really struggle with water color, cus i wanna sit down and not wait on my materials. You mentioned that others seem to spend less time, but they may edit a lot of their work and not show ones that they struggled with
Cute and Amazing!
Well that's just awesome work.
Amazing as usual, you are my inspiration ❤
lovely message, and the finished artwork looks amazing!
Omg this is so darn cute!! Love it how you added a cat! Not silly at all!
Great painting as usual!! Love how you always tell a story with your paintings! Looks sooooo relaxing, 😊👍🏻💙
I love this piece! It SOUNDS like you want to invest a lot of time in getting better at a medium that in the end is not satisfying for you for the finished piece. For you, watercolor may be the best medium when you are working out color scheme thumbs, quickly testing out possibilities with broad washes, and laying down color quickly just to see how things work out. When painting the final piece, it feels like you are most satisfied with having control over your brush strokes and opacity when using gouache. While similar, watercolors and gouache really are separate beasts, and in the end it feels like you will always end up being happy with gouache for the final painting. I agree with Patricia's comment below - it's sad to hear you not enjoying yourself.
Wonderfull art, keep on going it's just the way you work, it's your style, everybody has these problems with water colour,, well done 😊